* The latest Tribune poll…

Nearly two-thirds of those who called themselves Democrats said they believed stronger ethics measures would help eliminate corruption, while half of those who called themselves Republicans doubted the success of any cleanup efforts.

When voters were asked what reform measure might have the greatest impact on curbing corruption, 31 percent said greater access to government records, including those involving internal investigations, 26 percent cited term limits for elected officials and 20 percent said limits on campaign donations. […]

A total of 12 percent of the voters identified the recall of public officials as a step to curb corruption, a move Blagojevich allies in the Senate foiled last year, while only 2 percent cited taxpayer-financed political campaigns as a needed remedy.

When asked to gauge Illinois’ corruption problems against other states, a total of 63 percent said they believed Illinois was more corrupt than most states or one of the worst in the nation. A total of 70 percent of Republicans and a nearly like number of independent voters shared that view compared to 57 percent of Democrats. Another 33 percent of the voters said corruption in Illinois is no worse or even less than other states.

Again, the Tribune’s adamant refusal to post their complete poll results onine means big areas are left blank here. We’re supposed to just accept the word from the Mountain Top that the Trib’s analysis is the holy truth.

This poll was apparently conducted differently than a recent survey which allowed voters to say how they felt about individual reform ideas. In the Trib poll, voters apparently just chose their top pick. Both methods can be useful.

Public records “sunshine” was apparently at the top (I say “apparently” because there is no complete list). That result will likely be trumpeted by Speaker Madigan’s people because Madigan has made opening up inspector general reports a top priority of his new ethics committee. And notice how far down recall and public finance apparently are. Those two items would have a huge impact on politics in this state. Sunshine? Not so much. As I’ve been saying for years, sunshine only works if shame can be injected into the system. Illinois politics is mostly shameless.

The Trib editorialized today about the need for ethics reform and at the top of its list was consolidating local governments, which apparently wasn’t even in their poll.

* Related…

* After scandal, state has chance to enact real reform

* Race to reform Illinois is in full swing

* Patti’s problems : Sneed hears the feds delivered a subpoena to the Chicago Christian Industrial League Wednesday, which once employed former first lady Patti Blagojevich as its development director.

* Blagojevich gets down and dirty

* Ex-reporter’s toughest assignment